Poverty Today

Cleveland has been among the 12 poorest cities in the country since the U.S. Census Bureau began poverty rankings by city in 2000. In 2009, Cleveland ranked 2nd of all major cities with a poverty rate of 35%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
 
Upon the subject of education ... I Can only say that I view it as the most Important subject
which we as a people may be engaged in.

- Abraham Lincoln

Our Focus Areas › Education Disparities

 

Education Disparities

TBoy Scout troup at Carl & Louis Stokes Academyhe Foundation is working to end educational disparities in Cleveland's Central Neighborhood, focusing on middle grade students in sixth through eighth grade.

Research shows that quality after-school and other exposure programs are linked to positive outcomes for preteens learning to navigate their world and move on successfully to high school.

"Well-designed expanded learning programs can have a positive impact on student achievement, attendance and graduation rates," according to a policy paper from Learning Point Associates on after school programs.  Read the full report, "Integrating Expanded Learning and School Reform Initiatives."

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland  has awarded nearly three-quarters-of-a-million dollars on "exposure" programs to promote and improve school success for Central students since it became a focus area in 2008.

The foundation is also working with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to help their  reformation plans of their low performance schools, including implementing the district's "transformation" plan.    

Increasing the accessibility and availability of out-of-school enrichment programs is very important and something the Foundation is working on. The Foundation's work is part of a national movement.

Organizations such as the Afterschool Alliance, the National Afterschool Association and the National Institute on Out-of-School Time.  These organizations, as well as The Collaborative for Building After-School Systems are working together and independently to expand after school opportunities for children as well as showing the success quality after school programs have in the social, developmental and academic achievement of children who have the opportunity to participate.
 
Foundation grantees include the Boy Scouts of America, including the troop (see picture above) at Carl & Louis Stokes Central Academy. We also support the Greater Cleveland Council, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Golden Ciphers, Progressive Arts Alliance Inc., and the Marion-Sterling School Community Partnership.
 


The Marion Sterling School Community Partnership was  formed in 2005 to coordinate and expand the volunteer efforts of a number of community organizations all working to create and support programs and activities for the student body. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is one of more than 10 Central neighborhood based organizations that make up the partnership.         
 

Education Grants (Awarded 2012)

Beech Brook Cleveland PASS:Parents Assisting Sterling Students $50,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland Cleveland School-based Mentoring Program at George Washington Carver school $21,290
Boy Scouts of America-Greater Cleveland Council Cleveland Nuturing Education While Scouting in Central $21,410
A Cultural Exchange       Cleveland Read Baby Read/ Chapters Book Club Program $49,992
Golden Ciphers Cleveland Rites of Passage Program $48,646
Progressive Arts Alliance Incorporated Cleveland Arts-Integrated Partnership $50,000
Urban League of Greater Cleveland Cleveland Kids College - Middle School Transition $50,000
Children's Defense Fund - Ohio Columbus Youth Advocate Leadership Training $20,000